Disclosed herein is a method and corresponding system for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first network is concurrently served by a second network, where the first network is interconnected with the second network. In an example method, if the UE determines that the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, the UE then causes itself to be served by the second network in a first mode in which the UE is registered with the second network via the first network. Whereas, if the UE determines that the UE does not provide such connectivity, the UE then instead causes itself to be served by the second network in a second mode in which the UE is registered with the second network directly via the second network rather than via the first network.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. In a communication system in which a first radio access network (RAN) provides a first air interface and a second RAN provides a second air interface, and in which the first RAN is interconnected with the second RAN, a method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of the first RAN is concurrently served by the second RAN, the method comprising: making a determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station; if the determination is that the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in a first mode in which, while the UE is served by the base station via the first air interface, (i) the UE is registered with the second RAN via the first RAN so that when the second RAN pages the UE for a call to be served by the second RAN, the page passes via the first RAN and the UE receives the page via the first air interface, and (ii) the UE does not tune away from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface; and if the determination is that the UE does not provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that that the UE does not provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in a second mode rather than in the first mode, wherein in the second mode, while the UE is served by the base station via the first air interface, (i) the UE is registered directly with the second RAN so that when the second RAN pages the UE for a call to be served by the second RAN, the UE receives the page via the second air interface, and (ii) the UE periodically tunes away from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface.
A communication system has two radio networks (RANs), interconnected. A user equipment (UE) device connected to a base station on the first RAN can also use the second RAN. The UE determines if it's providing a connection for other devices to the base station. If it is, the UE uses the second RAN in a "first mode": it registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, receiving pages (incoming call alerts) from the second RAN through the first RAN's connection, and it doesn't actively scan for pages on the second RAN. If the UE isn't providing connectivity, it uses a "second mode": it registers directly with the second RAN, receiving pages directly from the second RAN, and it periodically switches to the second RAN to check for pages.
2. The method of claim 1 , carried out by the UE.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, is performed by the UE itself.
3. The method of claim 1 , carried out by the base station, wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the first mode comprises transmitting, from the base station to the UE, a control signal directing the UE to operate in the first mode, and wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the second mode rather than in the first mode comprises transmitting, from the base station to the UE, a control signal directing the UE to operate in the second mode.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, is performed by the base station. The base station sends a control signal to the UE, telling it to use either the first mode or the second mode.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the first mode is further responsive to the determination being that the UE is currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the second mode rather than in the first mode is further responsive to the determination being that the UE is not currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, makes a determination based on *current* connectivity. The UE uses the first mode only if it *is currently* providing connectivity. It switches to the second mode only if it *is not currently* providing connectivity.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is a type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the first mode is further responsive to the determination being that the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the second mode rather than in the first mode is further responsive to the determination being that the UE is not the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, makes a determination based on the *type of device* the UE is. The UE uses the first mode if it's *the type of device* that provides connectivity. Otherwise, it uses the second mode.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the UE is provisioned with data that specifies whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises referring to the data to determine whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, checks device configuration data to determine the UE type. The UE is pre-configured with data indicating whether it is a device that provides connectivity to other devices. This data is used to decide between the first and second modes.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein making the determination of whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is a hotspot UE configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, defines "the type of device" as a hotspot. The UE determines if it's a hotspot device.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the base station is a first base station, wherein making the determination of whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is a relay-UE configured to provide a second base station with wireless backhaul connectivity to the first base station, and wherein the second base station is configured to serve the at least one other device.
The method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, which involves determining whether the UE provides connectivity between other devices and the base station, then using a first mode (registering with the second RAN via the first RAN and not scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a second mode (registering directly with the second RAN and periodically scanning for pages on the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity, defines "the type of device" as a relay. The UE determines if it acts as a relay for another base station providing wireless backhaul to the main base station. If the other base station is serving other devices, the UE is considered a relay.
9. A method for controlling how a user equipment device (UE) served by a base station of a first radio access network (RAN) is concurrently served by a second RAN, wherein the first RAN is configured to provide a first air interface, wherein the second RAN is configured to provide a second air interface, wherein the first RAN is interconnected with the second RAN, and wherein the UE has two mutually exclusive modes of operation in which the UE can be served by the second RAN while the UE is concurrently being served by the first RAN, including (i) a first mode of operation in which the UE is registered with the second RAN via the first RAN and is thus set to receive pages from the second RAN via the first RAN and the first air interface, and the UE does not tune away from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface and (ii) a second mode of operation in which the UE is registered directly with the second RAN and is thus set to receive pages from the second RAN via the second air interface, and the UE tunes away periodically from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface, the method comprising: the UE making a determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station; based on the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, the UE making a decision whether to operate in the first mode or instead to operate in the second mode; and the UE operating in accordance with the decision.
A UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN. The UE has two modes for using the second RAN. In the "first mode", it registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts (pages) through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages. In the "second mode", it registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN. The UE decides which mode to use based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices through the base station. If it is providing connectivity, it uses the first mode; otherwise, it uses the second mode.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein making the decision whether to operate in the first mode or instead to operate in the second mode comprises: if the determination is that the UE is currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE is currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, making a decision to operate in the first mode; and if the determination is that the UE is not currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE is not currently providing connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, making a decision to operate in the second mode.
The method where a UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN, deciding whether to use a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages) or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices, determines current connectivity. If the UE *is currently* providing connectivity, it chooses the first mode. If it *is not currently* providing connectivity, it chooses the second mode.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is a type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein making the decision whether to operate in the first mode or instead to operate in the second mode comprises: if the determination is that the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, making a decision to operate in the first mode; and if the determination is that the UE is not the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE is not the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, making a decision to operate in the second mode.
The method where a UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN, deciding whether to use a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages) or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices, checks the device type. If the UE *is the type of device* that provides connectivity, it chooses the first mode. Otherwise, it chooses the second mode.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the base station is a first base station, wherein making the determination of whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises making a determination of whether the UE is a relay-UE configured to provide a second base station with wireless backhaul connectivity to the first base station, and wherein the second base station is configured to serve the at least one other device.
The method where a UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN, deciding whether to use a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages) or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices, defines "the type of device" as a relay-UE. The UE determines if it is a relay for another base station, providing wireless backhaul. The other base station serves other devices.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the UE is configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein making the decision, based on the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, whether to operate in the first mode or instead to operate in the second mode comprises: making a determination of a quantity of other devices the UE is currently providing with connectivity to the base station; if the determination is that the quantity of other devices is greater than one, then, responsive to the determination being that the quantity of other devices is greater than one, making a decision to operate in the first mode; and if the determination is that the quantity of other devices is less than or equal to one, then, responsive to the determination being that the quantity of other devices is less than or equal to one, making a decision to operate in the second mode.
The method where a UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN, deciding whether to use a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages) or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices, determines the *number* of devices currently connected. If the UE is providing connectivity to *more than one* other device, it chooses the first mode. If it provides connectivity to *one or fewer* devices, it uses the second mode.
14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: before making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, the UE operating in the first mode, wherein making the decision to operate in the second mode comprises making a decision to switch from operating in the first mode to instead operating in the second mode, and wherein operating in accordance with the decision comprises switching from operating in the first mode to instead operating in the second mode.
The method where a UE connected to a base station using a first radio network (RAN) can also use a second RAN, deciding whether to use a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN via the first RAN, gets call alerts through the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN for pages) or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets call alerts directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) based on whether it's providing connectivity to other devices, starts in the first mode. The UE decides to switch *from* the first mode *to* the second mode if it is not providing connectivity to other devices.
15. A user equipment device (UE) with dynamic operating mode, the UE comprising: a first radio configured for the UE to be served by a first radio access network (RAN), wherein the first RAN provides a first air interface, and wherein the first RAN is interconnected with a second RAN; a second radio configured for the UE to be served by the second RAN, wherein the second RAN provides a second air interface; and a control unit configured for controlling how the UE, when served by a base station of the first RAN, is concurrently served by the second RAN, wherein the controlling comprises: (i) making a determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, (ii) if the determination is that the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in a first mode, and (iii) if the determination is that the UE does not provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, then, responsive to the determination being that the UE does not provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in a second mode rather than in the first mode, wherein in the first mode, the UE is registered with the second RAN via the first RAN and is thus set to receive pages from the second RAN via the first RAN and the first air interface, and the UE does not tune away from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface, and wherein in the second mode, the UE is registered directly with the second RAN and is thus set to receive pages from the second RAN via the second air interface, and the UE tunes away periodically from the first RAN to the second RAN to check for pages via the second air interface.
A UE has two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN. The control unit determines if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN. If yes, the UE uses the second RAN in a "first mode": registered with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN. If no, it uses a "second mode": registered directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN.
16. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the UE is provisioned with data that specifies whether the UE is a type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station, and wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises referring to the data to determine whether the UE is the type of device configured to provide connectivity between at least one other device and the base station.
A UE with two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN, determining if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN, then using a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity. The UE checks pre-configured data to determine if it is a device that provides connectivity.
17. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the first RAN provides the first air interface according to a first air interface protocol, and wherein the UE is configured to provide connectivity for the at least one other device according to the first air interface protocol.
A UE with two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN, determining if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN, then using a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity. The UE provides connectivity to other devices using the *same* air interface protocol as the first RAN.
18. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the first RAN provides the first air interface according to a first air interface protocol, and wherein the UE is configured to provide connectivity for the at least one other device according to a second air interface protocol different from the first air interface protocol.
A UE with two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN, determining if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN, then using a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity. The UE provides connectivity to other devices using a *different* air interface protocol than the first RAN.
19. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the UE is configured to provide connectivity for the at least one other device, wherein making the determination of whether the UE provides connectivity between at least one other device and the base station comprises determining a quantity of other devices the UE is currently providing with connectivity to the base station, wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the first mode is further responsive to the determined quantity of other devices being greater than one, and wherein causing the UE to be served by the second RAN in the second mode is further responsive to the determined quantity of other devices being less than or equal to one.
A UE with two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN, determining if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN, then using a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity. The UE determines the *number* of devices it's providing connectivity to. It uses the first mode if it's providing connectivity to *more than one* other device. It uses the second mode if it's providing connectivity to *one or fewer* devices.
20. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the first mode is a Circuit-Switched Fallback (CSFB) mode, and wherein the second mode is a Single Radio Long Term Evolution (SRLTE) mode.
A UE with two radios: one for a first RAN and one for a second RAN. A control unit manages how the UE uses the second RAN while connected to the first RAN, determining if the UE is providing connectivity to other devices via the base station of the first RAN, then using a "first mode" (registers with the second RAN through the first RAN, gets pages via the first RAN, and doesn't scan the second RAN) if it does provide connectivity, or a "second mode" (registers directly with the second RAN, gets pages directly, and periodically scans the second RAN) if it doesn't provide connectivity. The "first mode" is Circuit-Switched Fallback (CSFB), and the "second mode" is Single Radio Long Term Evolution (SRLTE).
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September 8, 2016
July 11, 2017
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